Iceland visa and entry requirements

Iceland is a Schengen member state; its Directorate of Immigration describes the Schengen agreement as a partnership between 29 states. EEA/EFTA citizens visiting Iceland must carry valid travel documents or identity cards accepted for border crossing. Other visitors must have a valid visa unless they are exempt from the visa requirement or hold a residence permit issued by another EEA/EFTA country; nationals on the EU's visa-exempt list are exempt for stays of no more than 90 days in any 180-day period (ETIAS is not yet in operation). The visa application fee is EUR 90. Icelandic embassies issue visas in four cities; in about 120 other cities other Schengen states issue visas on Iceland's behalf.

Every fact on this page verified on or after: Aug 26, 2026· How this site works

Check requirements for your passport

Requirements differ by nationality. Select your passport above, or scan the full table below.

How long you can stay

90 days in any rolling 180-day period

90 days in any rolling 180-day period, counted across the whole Schengen Area rather than per country. The day you arrive counts as the first day and the day you leave counts as the last. Leaving and coming back does not reset the allowance: on any given day, days already spent anywhere in the area during the preceding 180 still count against the 90.

Work out your own dates in the stay calculator · Compare every country

Verified Oct 3, 2026 · eur-lex.europa.eu · Regulation (EU) 2018/1806, Article 4(1) · archived copy

Visas & entry authorisations

Schengen visa

Fee
90 EUR
Processing
up to 45 days
Stay per entry
90 days

The Visa Code sets EUR 90, EUR 45 for children from six to below 12, and no fee for children under six; Ísland.is gives EUR 90 (EUR 45 for six to twelve year olds). Icelandic embassies issue visas in four cities: London, New Delhi, Peking and Washington D.C.; in about 120 other cities, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs has commissioned other Schengen states to issue visas on Iceland's behalf.

Apply on the official site Verified Oct 7, 2026 · eur-lex.europa.eu · Regulation (EC) No 810/2009, Article 16(1) · archived copy

Entry requirements

Passport validity

Ísland.is says non-EEA/EFTA citizens' travel documents must be valid at least 3 months beyond the intended departure date and have been issued within the last 10 years.

Verified Oct 3, 2026 · island.isCompare every country

Vaccinations

Not officially stated

No official source we read lists a vaccination certificate required for entry.

Travel insurance

Required

Schengen visa applicants need travel medical insurance valid throughout the territory of the Member States for the entire intended stay, with minimum coverage of EUR 30,000 (Visa Code, Article 15). No official source we could read states an insurance requirement for visa-exempt visitors.

Verified Oct 3, 2026 · eur-lex.europa.eu · Regulation (EC) No 810/2009, Article 15(3) · archived copyCompare every country

Onward or return ticket

Not officially stated

No official source we could read states that a return or onward ticket is required. The Schengen Borders Code lists a return or round-trip ticket among the supporting documents that may verify the entry conditions, and the UK government tells British visitors they may need to show a return or onward ticket at Icelandic border control.

Verified Oct 3, 2026 · eur-lex.europa.eu · Regulation (EU) 2016/399 (Schengen Borders Code)

Proof of funds

Required

Ísland.is says non-EEA/EFTA citizens must have enough money to support themselves, both during the planned stay and to return to their country of origin, or be in a position to obtain such money legally. The European Commission's table of reference amounts gives Iceland's minimum amount per day and per person as ISK 8,000, with the remark "ISK 40,000 - for each entry".

Verified Oct 3, 2026 · home-affairs.ec.europa.eu

Arrival cards & declarations

Required
  • EES — Entry/Exit System (biometric registration) — If you arrive at a Schengen border crossing point for the first time since the EES started, passport control officers will take a photo of your face and/or scan your fingerprints, the EU says. The UK government tells British travellers they do not need to take any action before they arrive at the border, and that there is no cost for EES registration. (at the border on first entry) travel-europe.europa.eu
  • ETIAS — European Travel Information and Authorization System — The EU says ETIAS is the new travel authorisation for visa-exempt travellers to enter 30 European countries, Iceland among them. It is currently not in operation and no applications are being collected; the EU will announce the start date several months before launch. (before travel, once etias starts) travel-europe.europa.eu
Verified Oct 7, 2026 · gov.ukCompare every country

Staying past your permitted stay

Foreign nationals without a residence permit may be expelled if they are residing in Iceland illegally. Expulsion entails a re-entry ban, permanent or temporary, normally not less than two years. Wilful or negligent violation of the Act is punishable by fines or imprisonment of up to six months.

Verified Oct 12, 2026 · government.is · Lög um útlendinga nr. 80/2016Compare every country

Customs & currency

Iceland Revenue and Customs says that if you carry cash of more than €10,000, or the equivalent in other currencies, travellers' cheques or bearer negotiable instruments, when departing or arriving in Iceland, you must declare it to customs at the point of departure or arrival.

  • Iceland Revenue and Customs says travellers may import duty-free up to 10 kg of food, including candy, not exceeding the value of ISK 25,000, and are not allowed to import meat and dairy products from outside the European Economic Area.
  • Iceland Revenue and Customs gives examples of possible duty-free alcohol combinations, such as 1 litre of spirits, 0.75 litre of wine and 3 litres of beer, or 18 litres of beer; the tobacco allowance is 200 cigarettes or 250 g of other tobacco products. The minimum age for bringing alcoholic beverages into Iceland is 20 years, and 18 years for tobacco.
  • Iceland Revenue and Customs says angling gear and riding clothing used outside Iceland may be brought in if it has been disinfected according to valid regulations; a certificate of disinfection issued by an authorised veterinary officer is accepted, and without one the gear has to be disinfected at the owner's own cost on arrival. Importing used riding gear, including saddles, bridles, halters and whips of leather, is prohibited.
Verified Oct 3, 2026 · skatturinn.is

Country in a nutshell

Currency
Icelandic króna (ISK, kr)
Safety — Generally safe
The UK FCDO says crime levels are low but petty theft and antisocial behaviour can occur, particularly around bars in downtown Reykjavík; that the weather can change quickly and strong winds can throw sand or ash up, damaging the paintwork of rental cars; and that since December 2023 there have been a series of volcanic eruptions on the Reykjanes peninsula, so always follow the authorities' advice.Verified Oct 3, 2026 · gov.uk
Power plugs
C, F · 230V 50Hz
Emergency numbers
General emergencies: 112
Languages
Icelandic
Time zone
UTC+0
International Driving Permit

Iceland is a party to the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic (UN Treaty Collection). Iceland's regulation on driving licences (No. 830/2011, Art. 29) says a licence issued in a state outside the European Economic Area entitles its holder to drive the same vehicles in Iceland as in the issuing country for up to 12 months, and that such a licence must be in Latin letters or be accompanied by a translation of its text into Icelandic, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish or English.

Verified Oct 3, 2026 · treaties.un.org · Convention on Road Traffic Compare every country

Best time to visit

No official source we could read gives a best time to visit Iceland. Canada's travel advice says roads in the highlands and other remote areas are only open during the summer, and that winter tires are mandatory between November and April, with exact dates subject to change based on weather conditions.

Tips & warnings

The UK Foreign Office says the weather can change quickly and make driving conditions challenging, that some roads, such as in the highlands or interior roads, require 4-wheel drive, and that river levels can change quickly, even within the same day. Canada's travel advice links to road and weather information from the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration and Safe Travel Iceland.

The UK Foreign Office says the weather can cause damage to rental cars that is not covered by insurance: strong winds are common and can throw sand or ash up, damaging paintwork, and British tourists have had to pay large amounts of money to repair such damage to hire cars.

If you arrive at a Schengen border crossing point for the first time since the EES started, passport control officers will take a photo of your face and/or scan your fingerprints. The EU says the ETIAS travel authorisation for visa-exempt travellers is currently not in operation.

Visa requirements by nationality

PassportsVisas & entry authorisationsMax stay
AfghanistanEmbassy visa—
AlbaniaVisa-free90 days
AlgeriaEmbassy visa—
AndorraVisa-free90 days
AngolaEmbassy visa—
Antigua and BarbudaVisa-free90 days
ArgentinaVisa-free90 days
ArmeniaEmbassy visa—
AustraliaVisa-free90 days
AustriaFree movement—
AzerbaijanEmbassy visa—
BahamasVisa-free90 days
BahrainEmbassy visa—
BangladeshEmbassy visa—
BarbadosVisa-free90 days
BelarusEmbassy visa—
BelgiumFree movement—
BelizeEmbassy visa—
BeninEmbassy visa—
BhutanEmbassy visa—
BoliviaEmbassy visa—
Bosnia and HerzegovinaVisa-free90 days
BotswanaEmbassy visa—
BrazilVisa-free90 days
BruneiVisa-free90 days
BulgariaFree movement—
Burkina FasoEmbassy visa—
BurundiEmbassy visa—
Cabo VerdeEmbassy visa—
CambodiaEmbassy visa—
CameroonEmbassy visa—
CanadaVisa-free90 days
Central African RepublicEmbassy visa—
ChadEmbassy visa—
ChileVisa-free90 days
ChinaEmbassy visa—
ColombiaVisa-free90 days
ComorosEmbassy visa—
Costa RicaVisa-free90 days
Côte d'IvoireEmbassy visa—
CroatiaFree movement—
CubaEmbassy visa—
CyprusFree movement—
CzechiaFree movement—
Democratic Republic of the CongoEmbassy visa—
DenmarkFree movement—
DjiboutiEmbassy visa—
DominicaVisa-free90 days
Dominican RepublicEmbassy visa—
EcuadorEmbassy visa—
EgyptEmbassy visa—
El SalvadorVisa-free90 days
Equatorial GuineaEmbassy visa—
EritreaEmbassy visa—
EstoniaFree movement—
EswatiniEmbassy visa—
EthiopiaEmbassy visa—
FijiEmbassy visa—
FinlandFree movement—
FranceFree movement—
GabonEmbassy visa—
GambiaEmbassy visa—
GeorgiaVisa-free90 days
GermanyFree movement—
GhanaEmbassy visa—
GreeceFree movement—
GrenadaVisa-free90 days
GuatemalaVisa-free90 days
GuineaEmbassy visa—
Guinea-BissauEmbassy visa—
GuyanaEmbassy visa—
HaitiEmbassy visa—
HondurasVisa-free90 days
Hong KongVisa-free90 days
HungaryFree movement—
IcelandFree movement—
IndiaEmbassy visa—
IndonesiaEmbassy visa—
IranEmbassy visa—
IraqEmbassy visa—
IrelandFree movement—
IsraelVisa-free90 days
ItalyFree movement—
JamaicaEmbassy visa—
JapanVisa-free90 days
JordanEmbassy visa—
KazakhstanEmbassy visa—
KenyaEmbassy visa—
KiribatiVisa-free90 days
KosovoVisa-free90 days
KuwaitEmbassy visa—
KyrgyzstanEmbassy visa—
LaosEmbassy visa—
LatviaFree movement—
LebanonEmbassy visa—
LesothoEmbassy visa—
LiberiaEmbassy visa—
LibyaEmbassy visa—
LiechtensteinFree movement—
LithuaniaFree movement—
LuxembourgFree movement—
MacauVisa-free90 days
MadagascarEmbassy visa—
MalawiEmbassy visa—
MalaysiaVisa-free90 days
MaldivesEmbassy visa—
MaliEmbassy visa—
MaltaFree movement—
Marshall IslandsVisa-free90 days
MauritaniaEmbassy visa—
MauritiusVisa-free90 days
MexicoVisa-free90 days
MicronesiaVisa-free90 days
MoldovaVisa-free90 days
MonacoVisa-free90 days
MongoliaEmbassy visa—
MontenegroVisa-free90 days
MoroccoEmbassy visa—
MozambiqueEmbassy visa—
MyanmarEmbassy visa—
NamibiaEmbassy visa—
NauruEmbassy visa—
NepalEmbassy visa—
NetherlandsFree movement—
New ZealandVisa-free90 days
NicaraguaVisa-free90 days
NigerEmbassy visa—
NigeriaEmbassy visa—
North KoreaEmbassy visa—
North MacedoniaVisa-free90 days
NorwayFree movement—
OmanEmbassy visa—
PakistanEmbassy visa—
PalauVisa-free90 days
PalestineEmbassy visa—
PanamaVisa-free90 days
Papua New GuineaEmbassy visa—
ParaguayVisa-free90 days
PeruVisa-free90 days
PhilippinesEmbassy visa—
PolandFree movement—
PortugalFree movement—
QatarEmbassy visa—
Republic of the CongoEmbassy visa—
RomaniaFree movement—
RussiaEmbassy visa—
RwandaEmbassy visa—
Saint Kitts and NevisVisa-free90 days
Saint LuciaVisa-free90 days
Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesVisa-free90 days
SamoaVisa-free90 days
San MarinoVisa-free90 days
São Tomé and PríncipeEmbassy visa—
Saudi ArabiaEmbassy visa—
SenegalEmbassy visa—
SerbiaVisa-free90 days
SeychellesVisa-free90 days
Sierra LeoneEmbassy visa—
SingaporeVisa-free90 days
SlovakiaFree movement—
SloveniaFree movement—
Solomon IslandsVisa-free90 days
SomaliaEmbassy visa—
South AfricaEmbassy visa—
South KoreaVisa-free90 days
South SudanEmbassy visa—
SpainFree movement—
Sri LankaEmbassy visa—
SudanEmbassy visa—
SurinameEmbassy visa—
SwedenFree movement—
SwitzerlandVisa-free—
SyriaEmbassy visa—
TaiwanVisa-free90 days
TajikistanEmbassy visa—
TanzaniaEmbassy visa—
ThailandEmbassy visa—
Timor-LesteVisa-free90 days
TogoEmbassy visa—
TongaVisa-free90 days
Trinidad and TobagoVisa-free90 days
TunisiaEmbassy visa—
TurkeyEmbassy visa—
TurkmenistanEmbassy visa—
TuvaluVisa-free90 days
UgandaEmbassy visa—
UkraineVisa-free90 days
United Arab EmiratesVisa-free90 days
United KingdomVisa-free90 days
United StatesVisa-free90 days
UruguayVisa-free90 days
UzbekistanEmbassy visa—
VanuatuEmbassy visa—
Vatican CityVisa-free90 days
VenezuelaVisa-free90 days
VietnamEmbassy visa—
YemenEmbassy visa—
ZambiaEmbassy visa—
ZimbabweEmbassy visa—

Stay lengths are for ordinary tourist visits. Click a nationality for its full guide.

Norway94 of 199 passports visa-freeDenmark94 of 199 passports visa-freeFinland94 of 199 passports visa-freeIreland76 of 199 passports visa-free

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa for Iceland?

EEA/EFTA citizens visiting Iceland must carry valid travel documents or identity cards accepted for border crossing. Nationals of the countries on the EU's visa-exempt list (Annex II of Regulation 2018/1806), which includes the United States, are exempt from the visa requirement for stays of no more than 90 days in any 180-day period. Other visitors must have a valid visa unless they hold a residence permit issued by another EEA/EFTA country; the visa application fee is EUR 90, and in about 120 cities other Schengen states issue visas on Iceland's behalf.

Is Iceland in the Schengen Area even though it is not in the EU?

Yes. Iceland's Directorate of Immigration says Iceland is a Schengen member state, that the Schengen agreement is a partnership between 29 states, and that a uniform visa issued by all Schengen states is valid for travel throughout the region. The Schengen Borders Code sets short stays at no more than 90 days in any 180-day period on the territory of the Schengen states.

Do I need ETIAS to visit Iceland?

Not yet. The EU says ETIAS, the new travel authorisation for visa-exempt travellers to enter 30 European countries including Iceland, is currently not in operation and no applications are being collected, and that it will announce the start date several months before launch. The ETIAS website lists a EUR 20 application fee.

Do I need a visa for an Icelandair or PLAY stopover in Iceland?

Iceland's Directorate of Immigration says that under the Schengen rules, transit means only a transit from a flight from a non-Schengen state through an airport in a Schengen state and onwards to another non-Schengen state. A person travelling from New York to Iceland and onwards to Berlin, or any other airport in the Schengen area, is not in transit and is entering the Schengen area in Iceland. Citizens of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the People's Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia and Sri Lanka need an Airport Transit Visa to transit through an Icelandic airport.

Is it safe to drive in Iceland in winter?

Canada's travel advice says driving can be hazardous, particularly in winter; that winter tires are mandatory between November and April, with exact dates subject to change based on weather conditions; and that roads in the highlands and other remote areas are only open during the summer. It links to road and weather information from the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration and Safe Travel Iceland.

Sources & verification

Every fact on this page is compiled from and periodically re-checked against these official sources:

Something wrong or out of date? Tell us, with the official source